PETONE’S LOANS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 5, 1 October 1929, Page 2

PETONE’S LOANS

JACKSON STREET SCHEME

“RATEPAYERS CANNOT

STAND IT”

Discussion arose at last night’s meeting ot the Petone Borough Council as to the advisability or otherwise of going ahead with the Jackson Street widening scheme. The subject was introduced as the result of a motion by Councillor Jacobson, which was as follows:. A hat steps be taken to obtair an estimate of the probable cost of completing the widening of Jackson Street, with a view to making an application to the Loans Board to take a poll of the ratepayers to borrow the necessary funds for the purpose, when, if desired, provision could be made to raise the loan money by instalment.” ... Councillor Jacobson said that he thought the time had come when the work should be gone on with. It would be a great benefit to the borougm and might be less costly now than in future years. An Election Foil. Councillor Brockelbank expressed the opinion that the matter should be held over until the next election, and then be put to the people to see if the majority wanted the work dope or not,, The Mayor (Mr. D. McKenzie) said that it would only be putting a burden on the people to ask them to raise £40,000 or £45,000 for street widening at the present time. In June last £61,000 was borrowed, and the people’s rates, what with the water loan and the increase, in charitable aid, had gone up considerably —a pound a house. The sum of £120,000 in one year would be a tremendous: loan, and he doubted very much if the Loans Board would sanction It. The Mayor agreed with Councillor Brockelbank that the matter should be left over until the next election,

“Cost Only Half.”

Councillor Jacobson: I am of the opinion that the work would only cost half the sum you mention. The Mayor: It would take ev&?y bit of £40,000, and the people of the borough could not stand it at present. Councillor Hogg suggested that the matter be referred to the Street Widening Committee to look into. Councillor Jacobson: I have no objection to that as long as the thing is not postponed indefinitely. It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Street Widening Committee.